The NFL Draft will take center stage a month from now, and it’s one the Falcons really need to nail. By signing Kirk Cousins, they signaled they are going for it right now, which gives them about a 2-4 year window. As of now, their roster is a promising one, but it can really take the next step into contender status with a home run of a draft class.
The good news is the Falcons have a few things working for them to make that happen. Most notably, they have the 8th overall pick for the third consecutive year after another underwhelming season. Nobody wants to be a bottom 10 team in the league, but it sure does help this time of year. Secondly, the way the draft shakes up in front of the Falcons could be very advantageous.
Many people expect quarterbacks to go with four of the first six picks in the draft. If that happens, it’s going to leave several top prospects on the board when the Falcons are on the clock.
Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum recently released a first round mock draft for ESPN, and the kind of prospects the Falcons are left to choose from is tantalizing. Here’s a look at his top 10 picks:
- Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
- Drake Maye, Washington Commanders
- Jayden Daniels, New England Patriots
- J.J. McCarthy, Arizona Cardinals
- Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants
- JC Lathan, Tennessee Titans
- Dallas Turner, Atlanta Falcons
- Marvin Harrison Jr, Chicago Bears
- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, New York Jets
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Credit to Mike Tannenbaum for creating the most wild NFL mock draft I’ve seen so far this year, at least by one of the major outlets.
He actually has Arizona trading Kyler Murray to the Vikings for the 11th pick in the draft, so the Cardinals can stand pat and take McCarthy, but the Bears landing Marvin Harrison with the ninth pick and drafting Caleb Williams first would be absolute insanity. Many believe those are the two best prospects in the entire draft. Chicago might have a two month post-draft party if that comes to fruition.
Tannenbaum, like many others, has the Falcons drafting Dallas Turner, and there’s a reason it’s a popular pick. The Falcons haven’t had a potent pass rush in almost two decades. Now, they could have an opportunity to take whomever they believe to be the best pass rusher in the draft. It makes too much sense, but I’m not calling it a slam dunk. If blue chip prospects like Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, or Joe Alt are available when the Falcons are on the clock, things could get real interesting.
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Photographer: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire
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